October 10, Monday

Editor’s Note: Today’s AMI Quiet Time is provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Church in San Diego.

Devotional Thought for Today

John 20:19-20

¹⁹On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

“To fear is to have more faith in your antagonist than in Christ.” – D.L. Moody, The Overcoming Life

The Gospel of John, chapter 19 describes one of the darkest event in history: The Lord Jesus Christ was cruelly punished and put to death in the most gruesome way. Understandably, the disciples who followed Jesus for three years were gripped with fear as their own aspirations and dreams of God’s rule came to an abrupt and most shocking end. Their Messiah was now lying lifeless inside a tomb. Without their teacher, miracle-worker, and leader, the disciples were gripped with the fear that at any moment, those who arrested Jesus would also come looking for them. (I wonder just how effective the locked doors of ancient homes would have been in keeping out unwanted guests.)

Then, all of a sudden, they found an unexpected guest amongst them—Jesus stood among them! With just a few words, Jesus transformed the fearful disciples into joyful worshippers. The presence of a living and resurrected Jesus brought new hope that would embolden the disciples to break through the locked doors and proclaim the Lord’s resurrection.

At Kairos Church, we just celebrated the 10^th anniversary. The church began (just as many other AMI churches) with a group made up mostly of college students who lacked in resources, finances, character, experience, and wisdom when it came to planting a church—yet we had faith in Jesus. Pastor Mark placed his faith in the Lord and made the bold decision to plant this church. Over the past 10 years, Kairos Church recognized many of its shortcomings, deficiencies, and limitations; yet, God continued to show His faithfulness and invited the church to keep trusting Him as the Head of Kairos. As we reflected on the past decade, Kairos Church joyfully celebrated God’s work in the transformation of people, raising up of servant-leaders, and many who became children of God.

Let us seek the Lord’s presence in our churches. His presence will transform our fears into joy.

Prayer

Lord, in my own weakness, I confess that I am gripped with fear (fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of man, fear of giving up control, and fear of the future). Fill my heart with Your presence, and may Your peace bring joy in my spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 1

Lunch Break Study

Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)

³⁵That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Questions to Consider

What is implied with Jesus’ invitation to “go over to the other side”?
What is significant about Jesus’ sleeping in this narrative?
What are your thoughts about the authority of Jesus as it pertains to your fears?

Notes

The context of the following story shows that the boat lands in the region of the Gerasenes. Jesus planned for a mission into Gentile territory, for He wanted the disciples to understand that the good news of God’s Kingdom was for all nations.
Ironically, the only place in the Gospels that we hear of Jesus sleeping is during a storm. The scene depicts His complete trust in God in the midst of adversity, much like the farmer in the preceding parables (4:3–9, 27) who trusts in God’s providential working over all obstacles and adversities.

Evening Reflection

What are some fears that irritate you? Spend some time being honest before the Lord and confessing your fears. Ask the Lord to replace those fears with faith in Him.

October 9, Sunday

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for October 8-9 are provided by Christine Li. Christine graduated from University of Pennsylvania and currently lives and works in New York City. She attends Remnant Church in Manhattan.

Devotional Thought for Today

Luke 15:14-17[1]

“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!’”

I knew college was supposed to be challenging, but one trouble I did not anticipate was that I would go broke one semester. It was my own foolishness– I had relinquished a work-study job, but I kept spending money. I knew this was a bad idea, yet I hoped I could scrape by and never tell my parents. Finally, one day when I had less than $20 left for weeks of school, I reached a crisis.

Completely distraught, I called home and admitted what situation I was in. While my parents made it clear that they found this completely irresponsible, what they were more concerned about was that I had felt the need to hide from them. “You shouldn’t have pretended everything was fine. You should have come to us sooner,” they rebuked me.

A couple things prevented me from openly going to my parents. I feared the humiliation of being known as irresponsible. I feared they would be angry, and I was too prideful to admit that I needed help. So, I tried to handle the difficulty by myself until I reached a point of desperation. Looking back, if I had had the sense to admit my troubles sooner, I could have received help and avoided all the angst.

Just like the prodigal son, don’t we also avoid going to God the Father at the first sign of trouble? Though the prodigal lacked no shame in asking for his inheritance, he kept himself from returning when he was in need, struggling on his own until he was completely stuck. We might feel ashamed for what we did, fearful that He will be angry, or stubbornly hope that we can handle it on our own. But, our delay only puts us in a worse-off condition than if we turned home sooner.

We all know the happy ending of this parable: the Father was quick to forgive and restore the son. Even if others have responded to our failings in negative ways, we can be encouraged that this will not be the Father’s response. He will eagerly respond to us with help, healing, and restoration. So, let’s not keep ourselves from Him. We do not have to needlessly struggle on our own when He is ready to restore us.
Prayer: Father, You are so gracious and gentle! But I always seem to forget, and that is why I do not go to You sooner. Help me to remember Your loving-kindness and that You are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Teach me to come to You eagerly and receive Your grace that heals and restores me.

[1] We are taking a break from the study of John (October 8-9).

Bible Reading for Today: 2 John

October 8, Saturday

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 10:19-22[1]

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

08Have you ever noticed a difference in behavior between first-time guests and frequent visitors to your home? In my own experience, I’ve seen a marked difference in my own behavior over the years of visiting an older sister. I went from politely asking to sit on her sofa the first time to, years later, sprawling over her living room, helping myself to what’s in her pantry, and occasionally even showing up late at night to stay over. By making her home my own many times, I clearly demonstrate how secure and assured I’ve become of our close relationship (and also, that she is very patient with me).

Before Christ, worship in the temple was also similarly formal and distant. Even if the people could approach the temple, there were still rules, formalities, and restrictions governing how to approach God – only once a year could the High Priest make his way into the presence of Almighty God (Hebrews 9). But now, on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, the author of Hebrews paints a new picture of bold advances. What was once impossible for common man – directly going into the inner chamber where a holy God dwelt – has become a privilege for each person.

How many of us truly make ourselves at home in God’s presence? When we approach Him, are we fearful that we have no right to be there, or do we believe that we are eagerly welcomed there? Because of Christ, God the Father has no more requirements on any ‘holiness’ or ‘time’ you must satisfy to meet Him. We can now enter His presence in whatever condition, at whatever time, without restriction and without inhibition! And this is the spiritual reality that “many prophets (in the Old Testament) . . . longed to see . . . but did not see it, and to hear . . . but did not hear it” (Matt. 13:17).

Today, let’s give thanks again for His sacrifice that allows us to draw near, and let us not waste the privilege of beholding Him for ourselves. Let’s go into the Father’s courts confidently as His children, knowing that we are welcomed to rightfully dwell in his presence!

Prayer: Father, thank You for making the way for us to draw close to You. Thank You for not being distant but for destroying the barrier that was between us. Thank You for welcoming us into Your presence. Teach us to boldly approach You as Your beloved children.

[1] We are taking a break from the study of John (October 8-9).

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 12-13

October 7, Friday

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from October 3-7 are provided by Pastor Yohan of Radiance Christian Church, San Francisco. Yohan graduated from University of Pennsylvania and Cairn University, where he studied theology. He is married to Mandie, and they have four small children.

Devotional Thought for Today

John 20:17^b

“…but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

In Korea, the stork does not bring babies to their parents—that’s the job of trash cans. For those of you who are scratching your heads, for whatever reason, Korean parents will jokingly tell their kids that they were found in trash cans, under bridges, or several other ridiculous places. It’s like when older siblings torment younger siblings by telling them they were adopted—except the parents do this. Even though I’ve lived in America all my life, I realize I still harass my kids in this manner. So yes, I’ve told them they were found in trash cans. And once in a while, when my youngest son Jon cries for mommy, I will ask him, “Do you really think she is your mommy?” And my wife looks at me like I’m a three-headed monster every time I do this.

Innately, people need to be secure in who they are and from whom they came from. I guess this is why my wife looks like she wants to maim me when I make those “you’re not my kids” jokes. I find it interesting that after Jesus is raised from the dead, He emphasizes not only that is He ascending to His Father, but stresses to the disciples that God is “your Father” and “your God.” Jesus was instilling the truth that because He rose, all who believe in Him are legitimate children of God. In theological terms, we call this the doctrine of adoption. This doctrine is critical to our faith because it secures our standing in the Kingdom and, hopefully, forms the basis for our actions. In other words, as legitimate children of God, we know we always belong to Him, and the work that God calls us to do, we do as beloved sons and daughters—not as slaves.

How do you most often think of yourself as a believer? Do you think of yourself as a worker? A soldier? A hand, foot, or other body part? All of those are biblical images of Christ’s church, but remember that your most fundamental identity in the Kingdom is a “child of God.” Now, believe it and live it!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child. Help me live this day with this knowledge and being secure in that truth. Help me to serve not as a worker or slave but as a beloved child, knowing that I represent my Father’s good name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:9-17: You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Questions to Consider

What are some characteristics of those who are “in the flesh”?
What are some characteristics of those who are “in the Spirit”?
What does it mean to be an heir with Christ, and what provisions are attached to this right (v. 17)?

Notes

Those who live in the flesh will/are dead (v. 12) and are slaves of sin who live in fear (v. 14).
In contrast, those who are in the Spirit are alive in Christ, debtors to righteousness, children of God, and heirs/fellow heirs with Christ.
In v. 17, we read that we are “heirs of God,” meaning God is our prize and treasure. However, one of the provisions of this inheritance is that we have to suffer with Christ as well. What that means in our context is something we all have to figure out.

Evening Reflection

Over the last couple of years, identity in Christ as children has come up repeatedly at our church. I realize a lot of people struggle with their identities as children, possibly because they didn’t have “ideal” parents. Whatever the case, take a moment to reflect on the implications of being a child of God and how it should impact your life.

October 6, Thursday

Devotional Thought for Today

John 20:17a

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…”

I’m sure we’ve all had the experience of waking up from a really pleasant dream. When that happens, what is the first thing you want to do? I don’t know what you were thinking but the correct answer is, go back to sleep. You want to go back to sleep, hoping you can go back into that happy fantasy world for a few more minutes.

I have often wondered why Jesus told Mary not to cling to her on that Sunday morning. I used to just think that Jesus was in some quasi-spiritual state, and if Mary tried to hug him, she’d go right through him. But this line of thinking doesn’t make sense for two reasons. First, later on in this chapter Jesus tells doubting Thomas to literally touch the scars on his hands and side, so Jesus must have been tangible. Second and more importantly, the whole point of the resurrection is not that we will become spirits or ghosts, but that we will be resurrected in the flesh. So I’m starting to think that perhaps Jesus was telling Mary, “You can’t cling to me as you used to do, because things have changed.” I’m guessing that in Mary’s mind, she was hoping Jesus would stick around, and things would go back to how they were before Jesus was arrested and crucified. But that world and that time she experienced with Christ would no longer exist; She couldn’t just go back to sleep hoping to return to that happy dream, if you will.

Sometimes in our Christians lives it is healthy to look back and remember God’s past goodness; however, we are never told to live there and pine for the “good ole days.” We have to know that God has new blessing to give and he is doing a new thing everyday. For Mary, it would have been great if Jesus could have stayed so she could cling to him, but that was not God’s plan. In fact, even Jesus says it is better that he leave and the Holy Spirit come (John 16:7), so we must believe that God has great plans ahead. Celebrate the past, but live in anticipation of God’s new work today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the ways I have experienced you in the past. Thank you that you are working in the here and now, and help me to be excited to be a part of that work too.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 10

Lunch Break Study

Read John 4:31-38: Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them,“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

Questions to Consider:

In this passage, what seems to be the “will” of the Father?
What do we learn about the harvest? What did Jesus say about the harvest time vs. what others might have thought? How do you think in comparison?
What do you we learn about Kingdom work in verses 36-38. How is this idea an encouragement and/or challenge to you?

Notes:

In this context, the will and work of the Lord was to bring people (specifically Samaritans) to faith. Bringing others to Christ is generally also the work that God has for us too.
Some think that there will be time to harvest later; however, being “white” implies that the harvest is critically ready (i.e. there is no time to waste or the harvest will go bad). Similarly, I think that is how Christians view evangelism; some think there is plenty of time, others know time is not guaranteed.
At all times, God is and has been working. You may be called to reap a field you did not sow. Other times you may have to sow and allow another to reap. Either way, we need to be ready to do the work of the Lord in whatever season he has called us.

Evening Reflection

The theme for today was to be ready to participate in God’s work. Do you believe that God has a new work for today (and tomorrow), and are you ready to reap the harvest? Have you been excited or ready to do God’s work lately, or have you been bogged down by other worries? If the latter, ask God to show you the fields and prepare you for a new work.

October 5, Wednesday

Devotional Thought for Today

John 20:14-16

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Just about every day, my wife and I lament at the rate our children are growing. Truthfully, I wouldn’t want to keep them at seven, five, and three years of age forever, but I would like to freeze them like this for another five years or so. One of the things I find most cute about them is their voices—little kids have really high pitched voices. But what’s interesting is that even after countless conversations and spending almost every day of their lives with them, I often find it difficult to distinguish their voices. So when I am away, and I call home, I generally have to ask who I’m speaking with (don’t tell my 7-year old son this; he’d be crushed to know that his voice is just as high and girly sounding as his 5-year old sister’s).

In the complete opposite vein, I am touched by Mary’s ability to recognize the Lord once He called her name. Sure, it took her a moment, but when Jesus said, “Mary,” something in her heart was triggered to the Lord’s presence, for this was probably not the first time Mary had heard Jesus call her name or listened to the sound of His voice. Undoubtedly, Mary had heard Jesus speak many times; she had spent many hours listening to him and had come to love the sound of His calling. So when Jesus called her name, she was immediately able to distinguish His voice from all the others she had heard that day.

Many times people will ask me how they can distinguish God’s voice from all the other voices they might hear (mainly their own minds telling them this or that). Well, part of that involves getting familiar with God’s voice; spending time in His presence and obeying when you think it might be Him. And yes, sometimes it’s trial and error; but after a few weeks, months, years, of learning to listen and walking in faith, I have no doubt that when Christ calls your name, you too will be able to recognize His voice.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You speak, so please do so in my life. Help me to love Your presence and the sound of Your voice. Help me distinguish Your voice and promptings, from the voices of the world, friends, or even my own mind and desires. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 9

Lunch Break Study

Matt. 7:7-11

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Questions to Consider

What does Christ say about the one who asks or knocks on the door? What has prevented you from asking in the past?
What was Jesus’ point with the bread-stone and fish-serpent illustrations? Do you view your Heavenly Father as good and generous?
What are some things for which you should pray and ask?

Notes

Sometimes we lack because we have not asked (see also James 1:5). Christ indicates that God’s nature is more generous than stingy. So if it is guidance, provision, help, etc., we should be more willing to ask.
Jesus’ point is made clear in v. 11 that even evil people know how to give good gifts to their children. So how much more is God, who is good, willing to give to His children? The question is: Do you truly believe God is good, or, do you kind of think He is out to get you?
Obviously, it’s a personal question, but think of some things you were too afraid or embarrassed to ask in the past.

Evening Reflection

This morning we touched on learning to hear God’s voice (or leadings). In the afternoon, we talked about our generous God. As we link these ideas together this evening, try asking for God’s guidance or direction on a matter with which you’ve been struggling. Remember, when Jesus tells us to ask and knock, He is also talking about guidance for His children. 05

October 4, Tuesday

Devotional Thought for Today

John 20:6-10

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

I am, by nature, a pessimistic person. My theology about humans can be summed up by two truths: First, we are all tainted by a sinful nature, which will generally cause us to act selfishly; and second, we are all made in the image of God, who is love. Unfortunately, I think the first truth wins out more often than the second. When it comes to life and ministry, pessimism can be very damaging. For example, when I look at this upcoming election, I am tempted to think, Clinton, Trump, why does it matter? Regarding racial tension in our country, it’s tempting to lose hope because overcoming hatred in the human heart seems insurmountable. And even on a smaller scale, when people struggle in a particular area, it’s tempting to wonder how much change and victory is possible.

Honestly, my outlook is something that I am working on, and often repent about, because I don’t think it is a very godly characteristic. Pessimism shows a lack of faith in the power of God. It’s somewhat incongruent that one can believe in the power of God to resurrect the dead, but lack the faith that He can (or will) heal a nation or dramatically change an individual. Similarly, I find it funny when people say that they trust God for their eternal souls, yet don’t demonstrate a trust in Him for the day-to-day things like finances, taking care of children, and other matters.

When the term “believe” is used in the Bible, many times it concerns other things than the traditional gospel understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection. In other words, there are other aspects to faith than simply trusting in Christ for eternal life—there is trusting in Him to do anything. Case in point: In v. 8 of today’s passage, it says that something about the empty tomb scene made Peter and John “believe,” but the very next verse says that they had not yet understood what the Scriptures said about the resurrection. So what did Peter and John actually believe at that moment? The truth is, I don’t know. But that is not the point: The point is, you have to believe in the power of God to do anything in this life and the next. You have to believe that there is no person too far gone for the Spirit to reach, no circumstance too far out of reach, or no miracle beyond prayer. What are things you are pessimistic about? What does it mean for you to “believe?”

Prayer: Lord, like the man in Mark 9, help me to overcome my unbelief. Help me to hope, even in the last days, that the Kingdom of God is a present reality. Let me face this day believing it is full of opportunities, not trouble. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 4:16-19: And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Questions to Consider

According to this passage of Scripture (Isaiah 61), what aspects of the Kingdom of God did Christ usher in?
Do you think these aspects are important today?
Have you lost sight in how God wants to work in the here and now?

Notes

From the passage, we see that the Kingdom of God ushered in by Christ would include proclamation of Good News (v. 18), as well as freedom and healing (power of God).
We often talk about the Kingdom of God as both a present AND future reality (or already here BUT not yet completed). As believers we need to keep both aspects in mind; we need to win souls for Christ and bring peace, justice, healing to people now. It’s important not to overemphasize the present at the expense of the future, or vice versa. The bottom line is, that God wants to work now, bring justice now, heal now—and save souls.
Application question.

Evening Reflection

This morning we talked about overcoming pessimism and not believing that anything is hopeless. This afternoon, we studied about the Kingdom of God being a present reality. God wants to liberate and heal now. As we connect these thoughts tonight, ask yourself these questions: Are there are things that I’ve lost faith or hope in? If so, what does God want me to do about this? Do I believe that the power of God is available for these things now?

October 3, Monday

Devotional Thought for Today

John 20:3-5

So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

Several years ago, when I was working as an engineer, one of my co-workers opened up about his then two-year old son’s hearing difficulties. As he shared about potential treatment options and possible surgery, I could see deep concern coming through his usual jovial demeanor. As the conversation progressed, I felt the Lord telling me to pray for him and his son. We were in the middle of the office floor, and I didn’t want to make a scene, so I am ashamed to admit that I ignored this prompting. Obviously, I don’t know what would have happened if I had just listened, but I could not help but to feel that I had lost an opportunity to at least share a little about Jesus and His goodness.

I bring up this little story from my life because I think there are many times that when we get to the door—just as John did—for one reason or another, we do not go in. When I look back at my relationship with my old co-worker, I had already done the running to get there—meaning, I had already established a relationship with him, and I was genuinely concerned about his family. And when God delivered an opportunity for me to enter, I didn’t. I wish I could say that was the only time I felt like I missed an opportunity. Of course, I am sure that I am not the only one who has felt this way.

When it comes to following God, there will always be reasons to not: It might not be a convenient time, you might look silly, you might get rejected, it might represent a huge cost, etc. But I hope to never again be a person who is standing outside of the door, looking in and longing for what could have been. I hope that like John, I will eventually go in and be used by God to do great things.

Prayer: God, give me boldness to enter into whatever door or opportunity You put before me. Help me to see that the opportunity and potential is always greater than the cost or risk. Allow me the opportunity to be used by You because I was willing to go through the door. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 4:23-31: When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[d]said by the Holy Spirit,

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed’

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Questions to Consider

What were the circumstances surrounding this passage, and for what did Peter and John ultimately pray for?
Why do you think boldness was so important for the early church? Why is it so important for us today?
On a scale of one to ten, how bold are you for Christ? Are there ways you can grow in boldness?

Notes

After healing a blind man, Peter and John were brought to the Sanhedrin and told not to speak of Jesus again. The disciples ultimately prayed for boldness to continue to share and be used of God to do more miraculous signs (vv. 29-30).
Disobedience to the Sanhedrin could have resulted in flogging, excommunication, imprisonment, or death. Peter and John considered boldness important so that they could remain faithful to obey God rather than men.
To grow in boldness, we obviously need to pray as Peter and John did, but sometimes we need to intentionally do things that would push us out of our comfort zones. Consider going out to share the gospel today, asking a co-worker for a prayer request, or whatever feels uncomfortable.

Evening Reflection

The theme for today was boldness. This evening, ask yourself: How has my Christian life been lately? Am I in a rut, or why has it been awhile since I’ve have seen God do something in my life? Maybe it’s because you don’t take bold steps to obey His promptings. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to areas He wants you to move into. Commit to following His promptings, even if it means you’ll have to take risks.

October 2, Sunday

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from September 26-October 2 are written by David Son, who serves as the college pastor at Symphony Church in Boston. David, a graduate of UC Berkeley (B.S.) and Gordon-Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, who is a teacher.

Devotional Thought for Today

John 19:17-18

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

As a child, I loved LEGO toys. I had chests full of legos, and the shelves and windowsills of my room were always decorated with my latest lego creations. But legos hold an even more precious place in my heart because, believe it or not, it was through legos that I had my first revelation about the cross of Jesus Christ.

I figured that Jesus coming to die for me, one of His created beings, was as ridiculous as me giving up my life to save one of my lego characters from being destroyed. As I played out various scenarios in my imaginative mind, it was obvious to me that I would never do such a silly thing. For example, if I had dropped a lego man in the middle of a busy intersection, and I could see that a huge truck was going to smash the little lego man… would I dive after it and sacrifice my life for the sake of rescuing that lego man? Of course NOT. After all, I can just create a new lego man. To die for a piece of worthless plastic—there’s no point to that! Then I began to stand in awe of how preposterous, how mind-boggling, how incredible is God’s love for us that He would die for us—His lego pieces, that is, His creation. In that moment I felt so small, but also very loved.

That was my first memory of being in awe at the cross of Christ. But now I know—God’s love is even more preposterous, and more incredible than even that. And the more I meditate on it, the more I realize how deep, how wide, and how unfathomable God’s love for us actually is!

Today, let us meditate on the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; ask God for a deeper understanding of his unfathomable love for us.

Prayer

Lord give us the grace to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Thank you for demonstrating that love for us on the cross.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 5-6

October 1, Saturday

Devotional Thought for Today

John 19:4-16

Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

There is a man living in Brazil who calls himself Inri Christo. Taking his first name from the acronym written on the cross of Jesus, “INRI,” and his last name, meaning “Christ,” he believes himself to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. While fasting in Santiago, Chile, in 1979, Inri claims to have heard a voice, saying, “I am your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” It was at this moment that he realized his divinity. Subsequently, Inri has acquired somewhat of a following, and continues to make appearances around Brazil as a spiritual leader.

Take a moment and soak this in: How can someone have the audacity to claim to be the Son of God? Not only is he lost in his blasphemous delusion, he has also misled many people who actually believe his nonsense. If I ever meet Inri, I would surely give him a piece of my mind.

But if you think about it, two thousand years ago, a man from Nazareth, named Jesus, claimed to be the Son of God. If we put this in perspective, it’s not hard to see why the Pharisees, chief priests, and scribes wanted to have Jesus killed: He was claiming to be God! Over the past weeks, we have been looking at the life and ministry of Jesus through the Gospel of John. After reading, we must come to a decision for ourselves. Was He a phony like Inri Christo? Or, is He truly the genuine Son of God?

In our passage today, Pontius Pilate found himself at this very crossroads. We can tell that in his interactions with Jesus, it began to dawn on Pilate that this was no ordinary man. But since the Jewish leaders were pressuring him hard, Pilate had a choice to make, and at the end of the day he chose to remain passive. While he wasn’t the one yelling, “Crucify Him,” he ultimately decided that it was too risky to intervene, and as a result, lose his posh job; so, he handed Jesus over to be crucified.

There are people all around us today who scoff at the notion that Jesus was God. For those of us who do follow Him, this is the question we must ask and answer, not just once for salvation, but each day as we follow Him. Are we going to live today as if Jesus is truly the Son of God? Or will we take the passive route that Pilate took?

Prayer

Lord, we know that it isn’t by our own strength or wisdom that we came to know you, but rather, in your grace, you knew us first. We repent for all the days we have spent taking the passive route, living as if You didn’t exist. We remind ourselves today of your Lordship over our lives. Come and be our King.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 4